Enjoy snowboarding in Europe's top resorts
For a fabulous chic winter getaway, why not go snowboarding? Top-quality resorts are to be found all across Europe, so while will be spoiled for choice about where to go, but by visiting any of the three following places you can be confident of having a truly wonderful break.
Val Thorens has long been a popular destination for those keen to go on luxurious snowboarding holidays, in part due to its location in the 3 Valleys - the largest linked ski area in the world. In addition, its high altitudes - most of the slopes are situated more than 2,000 m above sea level - mean that fantastic boarding conditions are virtually guaranteed for the entire ski season from late November to May.
Head to the 70,000 sq m Snowpark and you'll get to pull off freestyle tricks on rails and boxes. If you're more into racing, the 1.4-km boardercross course features raised bends and tables and is sure to get your adrenalin pumping.
With 150 km of runs, the resort offers plenty of space for boarders to show off their skills. Experienced winter sport enthusiasts will no doubt enjoy the 38 red and black-graded runs, while beginners should spend time taking lessons before heading on to one of the 11 green pistes suitable for novices.
If you fancy a break from boarding while in Val Thorens, you can go for a ride on the longest tobogganing course in Europe, before indulging in a relaxing soak and health treatments at the spa.
Choose Tignes as the destination for your winter activity holidays and you'll be able to snowboard to your heart's content. With 300 km of pistes set across over 150 runs, there is plenty to occupy experienced and beginner boarders alike. Remember the altitudes here range from 1,550 m to 3,450 m, which makes for excellent season-long snow coverage.
If you want to practise your boardercross and slalom skills, head to the Gliss'Park. Open Sunday to Friday, this offers the ideal space for you to work on your racing techniques.
For some freestyle boarding fun, the two snowparks will provide plenty of excitement -half-pipes, rails and kickers are just some of the obstacles that you will find here.
However, it isn't just the high-quality boarding that makes Tignes are a great resort. You can also try a range of other winter sports, from snowshoeing to ice diving. For something really wonderful take a helicopter ride above the mountains that you've just boarded down. This is a fantastic way to appreciate the resort's beauty from a different perspective, afterwards you can grab a bite to eat in one of the luxury restaurants that offer views of the spectacular Grande Motte glacier.
Booking snowboard and ski holidays in Meribel is also an exciting prospect. As one of the most snowsure resorts in the whole of Europe, partially because most of the ski area is more than 1,800 m above sea level, this is the perfect place to put your boarding skills to the test.
If you're keen to try some freestyle tricks, the DC Area 43 park could be the place for you. With over 200 m of rails and a mini-skate ramp, you can soon pull of amazing jumps and manoeuvres, while the presence of an airbag enables beginners to practice in total safety. If you want to get to grips with the thrill of off-piste boarding, head to one of the Moon Ride areas to practise freeriding.
Once you've had your fill of amazing boarding, you can visit one of the many restaurants for a sample of traditional Savoyard cuisine before retiring to your luxury chalet for the night. With so much fantastic winter sport fun on offer, you'll be itching to get back out on to the slopes the next day.
